Children and young people voice their concerns over the new ContactPoint database for children in England

20 Nov 2007

A new report published today by the Office of the Children's Rights Director for England (OCRD), has found that safety and confidentiality are the main issues for children and young people when asked for their views on the Government proposed rules for running the new database.

ContactPoint, previously known as the 'information sharing index', will list the personal details of every child in England. Children and young people living away from home were consulted about the rules that the government is proposing to put in place for running the new system by the Children's Rights Director, Dr Roger Morgan.

The main concern raised by children is the fear that security for ContactPoint will be breached. They are worried that the list, which provides the details of the child's name, age and place of residence, as well as the contact details for their parent and carer, could attract those who should not have access to this information such as paedophiles. Children also felt that, despite the very strong security measures put in place, some staff using ContactPoint would pass data on to other people which could give unauthorised outsiders access to their information.

Making ContactPoint Work, found that the vast majority of children (83%) agreed that information should be kept safe on ContactPoint, and anyone wanting to see information about a child should have to give a good reason.

Dr Roger Morgan, Children's Rights Director for England, said:

"The children have told me that they are concerned about the safety of ContactPoint. Children want to be assured that their information will remain safe and confidential and have asked specifically that the government will never in the future put a child's photograph or telephone number on the database.

The government has undertaken to listen to the children's views and concerns. There will always be a need to keep security under review, as the repercussions of information falling into the wrong hands could be extremely dangerous."

The ContactPoint database has been designed to assist professionals working with the same child to get in touch with one another so that they can deliver a more coordinated support to the child.

Also published today by the Children's Rights Director is the Children's Messages on Care report. It is a summary of key messages from children living away from home or receiving social care services. The findings are based on consultation with children and young people over the past year.

More like this

Children and young people voice their concerns over the new ContactPoint database for children in England

Related Links

Connect to Ofsted

Are you registered?